FRAN Cotton always knew Clive Woodward would have the last laugh on the cynics who dubbed the England coach `the Wacky Professor'.

Heads turned a couple of years ago when Woodward handed out lap top computers to squad members and issued a set of ground rules.

Woodward made it quite clear that he wanted the squad to become a family - brought together by in-house e-mail communication.

Cotton, looking on in his key role as chairman of Club England, knew exactly where Woodward was coming from and what he was driving at.

Unity, camaraderie and a sense of purpose was being instilled into players scattered across the country. And by the time England reached Australia for the World Cup, Woodward had moulded a winning mentality. Every player knew what was expected of him in the heat of battle, and Cotton knew that England were destined for glory.

Strange

Cotton cannot speak highly enough of the innovative coach, and told M.E.N. Sport: "Clive has an unswerving belief in what he is doing. He knows what he wants and he is a fine coach who can inspire, and bring out the best in players.

"When his team have lost, he has come out of it stronger.

"He is a coach who always wants to lead from the front and be the best.

"Oh yes, I can still remember quite a few people labelling him the Wacky Professor, and saying: `How can prop forwards communicate by e-mail?'

"What Clive and his team have achieved is absolutely brilliant for English sport. We have been privileged to see a great team triumph, and these players can now help us become a great rugby nation at all levels of the sport. For this to happen, rugby union has to be vibrant at grass roots level. This is what I want to see and we must ensure this."

World Class

Woodward's style has greatly impressed Cotton, who has seen the former top-class Leicester centre become a world-class coach.

"Clive's man management is excellent. He works with the squad on what he terms a no excuse environment - there is total openness on everyone's part.

"Believe me, he can lose his temper with the best and I've seen it. But it stays within the four walls of the dressing-room, as it should.

"Clive isn't generally a shouter. He has a great knowledge of the game and he delegates a lot of responsibility to Andy Robinson and Phil Larder."

Willingness

Cotton heaps more praise on Woodward for the way he has shown a willingness to learn the specialist skills and techniques used by champions in other sports.

The coaching set-up at the Denver Broncos American football team has been analysed, along with the specialist coaching for catching and various skill drills at the Sydney Swans.

Woodward has spent a great deal of time in Australia watching top-class rugby league in the NRL, noting defensive structures.

All these have been of benefit to the make-up of the England set up.

Heroics

Jonny Wilkinson's heroics also have delighted a proud Cotton, who is now relishing seeing the game kick on in all corners of the country.

He adds: "Jonny is a class act. We all know about his kicking but his defensive skills are also up there with anyone in the game. Now I know that he will work a bit more on his running skills. And what a player Jason Robinson is. He breaks all the rules by going across the field, but he's such a powerful little runner.

"Jason is the master of deception - he spots the gap and goes for it. Now other players are seeing how it works for him and are now looking to do the same - it can work for anyone in the backs."